Machine for making concrete pipe



Feb. 8, 1955 c. w. CHANLUND 2,701,403

MACHINE FOR MAKING CONCRETE PIPE Filed April 11, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l 3O 37 an 32: 32 I? 37 65 e: f 3 s s Q I O INVENTOR. CH/EL W CHHNLUND BY r6 Feb. 8, 1955 c. w. CHANLU MACHINE FOR MAKING CONCRETE PIPE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 11, 1952 INVENTOR. CHEL W. CHHNLUND HTTO/PNEYS United States Patent-O MACHINE FOR MAKING CONCRETE PIPE Carl Wilmer Chanlund, Salt Lake City, Utah, assignor to Utah-Idaho Concrete Pipe Company, Salt Lake City, Utah, a corporation of Utah Application April 11, 1952, Serial No. 281,783

6 Claims. (Cl. 25--30) This invention relates to improvements in compacting rollers in machines for forming concrete pipe and the like and has particular reference to a compacting roller for use in forming concrete pipe and the like of the type having a bell or flaring mouth at one end. One of the problems encountered in centrifugally castmg concrete pipe of the type having a bell at one end and a spigot at the other resides in the fact that due to mold design the bell section is not contacted by the compacting roller, with the result that the concrete in the bell section is not sufficiently consolidated to insure maximum strength. Additionally, a wire reinforcing cage is generally molded into the interior of the pipe, and this cage tends to limit the compacting action due alone to centrifugal force.

Accordingly, one of the principal objects of this invention is to provide a compacting roller for use in machines for centrifugally casting concrete pipe, the roller being provided with a packing element for compacting concrete in the bell section of the pipe.

Another object of this invention is to provide a compacting roller for use in a centrifugal concrete casting machine, the roller having means for simultaneously compacting concrete in the bell section of the pipe and for removing entrained water and air in the bell.

Another object of this invention is to provide a compacting roller having an upstanding packing member adapted to be embedded in the concrete forming the bell section of a pipe or the like to compact the concrete and to bleed entrained air and water therefrom.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described which is extremely simple in construction yet highly effective in operation.

Other objects and advantages of this invention it is believed will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure l is an end view of a machine for making concrete pipe and incorporating the present invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation taken substantially on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 but on an enlarged scale illustrating the compacting roller in operation.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary isometric projection illustrating the compacting roller and bell packing element.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale illustrating the action of the bell packing element.

Figure 7 is a sectional elevation taken substantially on the line 77 of Figure 6.

Referring now to the drawings, in Figures 1 and 2 is illustrated a centrifugal concrete pipe casting machine generally indicated 10. This machine is not shown in detail nor is it hereinafter described at length since it forms the subject matter of the copending application of George R. lessen et al., Serial No. 187,452, filed September 29, 1950.

Briefly, this machine includes a supporting frame 11 on which is journaled a pair of trunnion rollers 12 of pneumatic tire construction and driven by a power source 13 through a suitable drive shaft 14 and differential or gear box 15. The driven trunnion rollers 12 cooperate with a pair of suitably journaled idler trunnions 16 in supporting and spinning the hollow cylindrical mold 17. A pair of spaced stabilizer trunnion rollers 18 are provided on one side of the machine, each journaled in one of a pair of arms 19 secured to rock shaft 20; and a like pair of rollers 21 are provided on the other side of the machine, each journaled on one of a pair of arms 22 secured to rock shaft 23. Crank arms 24 and 25 are each secured at one end to rock shafts 20 and 23 respectively, and at the other end to piston rods of suitable power cylinder assemblies 28 and 29 for operation of the respective rock shafts to move the stabilizer trunnions from the operative position shown by the solid lines of Figure l to the inoperative position indicated by the phantom lines thereof.

The mold 17 comprises a pair of spaced shells 30 and 31 separated by means of annular ribs 32, the shells and ribs being split longitudinally as at 33 to permit opening and closing of the mold. Welded to the shells is a pair of longitudinal flanges 34 and 35, bolts 36 being provided to maintain the mold in its closed or operating position. A pair of annular rows of trunnion guides 37 are employed on the outer shell 30 to prevent lateral displacement of the mold during operation of the machine.

The inner shell 31 is provided at the forward end with a forwardly and outwardly inclined portion 40 merging into a cylindrical portion 41 of increased diameter, thus defining the outer periphery of the pipe bell section indicated at 44 in Figure 4. Cooperating with the shell 31 to define the bell section is a former ring 45 having inclined and cylindrical surfaces 46 and 47 parallel to the portions 40 and 41 of the shell. The former ring 45 is provided at its forward end with a cylindrical shoulder 49 only slightly smaller in diameter than the cylindrical portion 41 of the shell 31, and this shoulder has an annular groove 50 in which is seated a sealing ring 51 adapted to form a seal with the cylindrical portion 41 and to maintain the ring 45 in friction fit relationship with the shell 37.

A second former ring 55 is provided at the other end of the mold 17 and is shaped to form a spigot section 56 on the end of the pipe remote from the bell 44. it will be understood that the spigot section 56 is shaped to fit into the bell section of an adjacent pipe when the pipe is laid.

A compacting roller 60 extends longitudinally through the mold 17 and is mounted to be freely axially rotatable. As shown, the roller is generally tubular in shape and is journaled at one end on suitable bearings (not shown) on axial shaft 61, and at the other end on suitable bearings (not shown) on axial stub shaft 62. Means (not shown) are provided for disengagement of the stub shaft 62 from the roller 60 so that the mold 17 may be removed from the machine without diassembly of the roller. These means are described in detail in the lessen application referred to above. Additionally, means (not shown) may be provided for vibrating the mold to assist in the compacting of the concrete in the manner described in said lessen application.

Means are provided for adjusting the position of the compacting roller 60 with respect to the mold 17, and as shown best in Figures 1 and 2, these means may include the arm at one end of the machine and the arm 66 at the other end thereof. The shafts 61 and 62 are carried on the outer ends of the arms 65 and 66 respectively, the other ends of said arms being rigidly connected to a rock shaft 67. Also connected at one end to the shaft 67 is a crank arm 68, the other end of said arm being pivotally connected to the piston rod 70 of power cylinder assembly 71 which is pivotally connected to the frame 11. Through operation of the power cylinder assembly the compactor roller may be moved from the inoperative position shown in Figures 1 and 2 downwardly to the operative position wherein the roller bears against the concrete as shown in Figures 4, 6 and 7.

The surface of the roller 60 may be smooth as shown, or it may be provided with spaced grooves as disclosed in my copending application on Compacting Roller for Centrifugal Casting Machine, Serial No. 281,784, filed April 11, 1952.

In accordance with this invention, the roller 60 is provided with a bell compacting member generally indicated 80. The member 80 includes a ring 81 rigidly secured to the roller 60 adjacent the foiward end thereof, and integral with the ring is an annular flange element 82. The element 82 is relatively narrow and as shown best in Figure 6 the forward face thereof is provided with an annular surface 84 normal to the axis of the roller 60 and adapted to abut the rear end face 85 of the former ring 45, and a rearwardly and outwardly inclined annular surface 87. The rear face 88 of the flange element is substantially normal to the axis of the roller.

The operation of the machine is as follows: With the mold 17 placed in the operative position shown, the compacting roller 60 is lowered by means of the power cylinder assembly 71 to the operative position wherein the distance between the roller and the inner shell 31 is approximately equal to the desired wall thickness of the finished pipe. The power source 13 is energized to spin the mold, and wet concrete is delivered into the mold in a manner well known in the art. The mold is spun at a relatively high rate of speed and vibrated to form the pipe through the centrifugal forces thus set up. It will be understood that the roller 60 is free to rotate axially, and as the mold is spun the power cylinder assembly 71 is operated to force the roller against the concrete to firmly compact the same.

At the same time, the outer portion of the flange member 82 which includes the inclined face 87 is embedded in the concrete at the rearward portion of the bell 44 as shown clearly in Figure 6, forcing the wet concrete in the direction of the arrows to compact the same into the bell portion. It will be understood that the outer portion of the flange element is at any one instant embedded in only a portion of the entire periphery of the concrete.

As the mold 17 spins, successive portions of the concrete are presented to the flange element and an amount of concrete equal to the volume of the flange is displaced thereby, forcing that amount of concrete in either direction longitudinally of the mold. By providing the inclined surface 87, the majority of the concrete is displaced in a forward direction into the bell section. The groove formed in the concrete by the flange is partially filled with concrete during each revolution of the mold. After repeated action of the flange, the concrete is firmly consolidated in the bell section, and the roller 70 is raised to the inoperative position. The mold is then allowed to continue to spin and to vibrate for a number of revolutions to permit the concrete to fill the groove left by the flange element, whereupon the mold is stopped and the mold and finished pipe removed.

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of my invention, I do not limit myself to the exact details of the construction set forth, and the invention embraces such changes, modifications and equivalents of the parts and their formation and arrangement as come within the purview of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A compacting roller for use in a machine for centrifugally casting concrete pipe of the type having a bell section at the forward end thereof, said roller comprising a body having a generally cylindrical surface, and an annular compacting flange secured to said body adjacent the forward end thereof, said flange having a front face including a rearwardly and outwardly inclined annular portion.

2. A compacting roller for use in a machine for centrifugally casting concrete pipe of the type having a bell section at the forward end thereof, said roller comprising a body having a generally cylindrical surface, and an annular compacting flange secured to said body adjacent the forward end thereof, said flange having a front face including a rearwardly and outwardly inclined annular portion, and said flange having a rear face substantially normal to the axis of said body.

3. In a machine for centrifugally casting concrete pipe of the type having a bell section at the forward end thereof, the combination of a frame, a pipe mold mounted for rotation on said frame, said mold adapted to receive wet concrete and having a flared portion at the forward end thereof; a former ring connected to the forward end of said mold, said ring cooperating with said flared portion to define the bell section of the pipe; and a generally cylindrical compacting roller mounted for free rotation within said mold, said roller being provided with a bell compacting member secured thereto adjacent the forward end thereof, said member including an element protruding from the surface of said roller and adapted to be imbedded in the wet concrete to cooperate with said former ring in forcing the wet concrete into said bell section.

4. In a machine for centrifugally casting concrete pipe of the type having a bell section at the forward end thereof, the combination of a frame, a pipe mold mounted for rota-tion on said frame, said mold adapted to receive wet concrete and having a flared portion at the forward end thereof; a former ring connected to the forward end of said mold, said ring cooperating with said flared portion to define the bell section of the pipe; and a generally cylindrical compacting roller mounted for free rotation within said mold, said roller being provided with a bell compacting member secured thereto adjacent the forward end thereof, said member including an annular flange element protruding from the surface of said roller in a direction substantially normal to the axis of said body and in a position to be embedded in the wet concrete adjacent said flared portion to cooperate with said former ring in compacting the concrete in said bell section.

5. In a machine for centrifugally casting concrete pipe of the type having a bell section at the forward end thereof, the combination of a frame, a pipe mold mounted for rotation on said frame, said mold adapted to receive Wet concrete and having a flared portion at the forward end thereof defining the bell section of the pipe; and a generally cylindrical compacting roller mounted for free rotation within said mold, said roller being provided with a bell compacting member secured thereto adjacent the forward end thereof, said member including an annular compacting flange protruding from the surface of said roller, said flange having a front face including a rearwardly and outwardly inclined annular portion; and means for lowering said roller into contact with the concrete in the mold whereby said flange is embedded in the concrete adjacent the flared portion of said mold.

6. In a machine for centrifugally casting concrete pipe of the type having a bell section at the forward end there of, the combination of a frame, a pipe mold mounted for rotation on said frame, said mold adapted to receive wet concrete and having a flared portion at the forward end thereof; a former ring connected to the forward end of said mold, said ring cooperating with said flared portion to define the bell section of the pipe to be cast and having a rear end face substantially normal to the axis of said mold; and a generally cylindrical compacting roller mounted for free rotation within said mold, the axis of said roller being parallel to the axis of said mold, said roller being provided with a bell compacting member secured thereto adjacent the forward end thereof and including an annular compacting flange protruding from the surface of said roller, said flange having a front face with a central annular surface substantially normal to the axis of said roller and in abutment with the rear face of said former ring, the flange front face also including an annular surface inclined rearwardly and outwardly from said central annular surface and extending outwardly from said former ring whereby said inclined surface portion of said flange is embedded in the concrete adjacent to said bell section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,377,188 Domine May 10, 1921 2,008,074 Isman July 16, 1935 2,109,421 Halkyard Feb. 22, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS 765,284 France Mar. 19, 1934 

